Chapter 1 - THE WOMAN IN THE PANTRY
“Why?”
Brooke Harrington slowly turned toward Emma Collins.
For one long second, the only sound in the pantry was rain tapping against the narrow windows.
Then Brooke placed the leather folder on the marble counter.
“Because Natalie is going to sign something before breakfast.”
Emma looked at the folder.
“What?”
Brooke opened it.
A stack of legal documents rested inside.
The first page had Natalie Mercer’s full name printed across the top.
Emma could not read every line from where she stood, but she saw two words clearly.
PROPERTY RELEASE.
Her stomach tightened.
Brooke tapped one perfectly manicured fingernail against the signature line.
“She’s transferring her interest in the eastern cottage.”
Emma stared at her.
“That cottage belongs to Catherine’s trust.”
Brooke’s eyes sharpened.
“You work here, Emma.”
“I know.”
“Then behave like it.”
Behind the hidden service door, Dominic Mercer stood absolutely still.
Emma knew he could hear every word.
Brooke closed the folder.
“After Saturday, things are changing.”
Emma forced herself to remain calm.
“What things?”
Brooke smiled again.
This smile was colder.
“Natalie has had six months to grieve.”
Emma’s jaw tightened.
Brooke continued.
“She has a son, no husband, and apparently no intention of rebuilding her own life.”
“She lost Michael less than a year ago.”
“That is unfortunate.”
Emma stared at her.
Brooke leaned closer.
“But Dominic and I are getting married.”
“This estate needs boundaries.”
“Natalie cannot spend the rest of her life hiding behind her brother.”
Emma glanced toward the service door.
She could almost feel Dominic’s anger through the wall.
“And Noah?”
Brooke shrugged.
“He goes where his mother goes.”
Emma’s voice dropped.
“You’re throwing out a nine-year-old boy?”
“I’m reorganizing a household.”
Brooke picked up the folder.
“And Natalie will sign.”
“What if she refuses?”
For the first time, Brooke’s expression became completely serious.
“She won’t.”
Emma felt something cold move through her.
“Why are you so certain?”
Brooke stepped closer.
“Because Natalie still thinks Dominic controls the trust.”
Emma frowned.
Brooke’s lips curved.
“He doesn’t.”
Emma already knew that.
Catherine Mercer had designed the trust specifically so that Natalie and Noah could never be removed from the family property by Dominic, his future spouse, creditors, or business enemies.
Emma had been present when Catherine explained it years earlier.
Brooke continued.
“Natalie doesn’t understand the documents.”
“I do.”
“And by Saturday night, it won’t matter what Catherine wanted.”
Behind the door, Dominic’s hand tightened around the brass handle.
Brooke turned toward the hallway.
“Wake Natalie.”
Emma didn’t move.
Brooke stopped.
“Do you want to keep your job?”
Emma looked directly at her.
“Do you?”
Brooke’s face changed.
Before she could answer, a child’s voice came from the hallway.
“Miss Emma?”
Noah.
He stood barefoot near the doorway wearing blue pajamas.
His face was pale.
Brooke immediately changed her expression.
“Sweetheart.”
Noah stepped backward.
“Don’t call me that.”
Brooke stared at him.
Noah looked toward the folder.
“You told Mom Uncle Dominic already agreed.”
Brooke smiled.
“He has.”
“No.”
The tiny word came from the other side of the room.
Brooke froze.
The hidden service door opened.
Dominic Mercer stepped into the pantry.
Rain still darkened his coat.
His eyes were fixed on the woman he was supposed to marry in forty-eight hours.
“No.”
Brooke went completely white.
Dominic closed the door behind him.
May you like
“I agreed to nothing.”
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